Maladaptive behavior

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wait! listen!

<<mommy and her friend have nice hands.

<< tinkerbell closes her eyes and purrs contently as Nicolas nuzzles her and gentl pets her. he seems to understand that she is special..not only to her mommy but in general. she is unlike any of the other animals in residence at Illustra.>>

<< he'll listen. he'll help keep mommy safe.

<< she had taken to laying down in her mommy's lap and craning her neck as mommy strokes her under the chin. she closes her eyes again and puts her ears back as she hears Nicolas speak.>>

<<dinner? maybe treats for me!>>


<< but as Nicolas spoke, that meant they'd be going to HIS apartment! the birds!! the evil, scarey birds! >>

<< tinker perked up with attention, still purring as she reached out her paw...lightly batting at Nicolas hand and then raising her paw, waving it a bit...almost like a child would raise its hand....it was uncanny how she managed to have such good fluent physical moment, another trait of the siamese breeed.>>

<< she mewed a bit while still purring...definately seemingly to want his attention in a different way now.>>
 
Haleigh passed through the bedroom quietly, making her way down the floating stairwell to the open atrium. She was absolutely shocked at the state of her apartment.... it looked like a hurricane had swept through. She poured herself a glass of iced tea as things began to fly through the air, back to their intended places... most of the disaster was metal... and Haleigh cleaned it up fairly quickly as she leaned against the kitchen counter. The bullet holes in her metal appliances repaired themselves, and soon all that was left was a little bit of broken glass here and there [thankfully, all of her windows were bulletproof glass of the most elite kind], and other miscellaneous items that had been knocked over in the chaos.

Haleigh mentally interfaced with the security floor, checking on everyone else.... vitals all read fine... Alycia and Delilah were on Delilah's floor, Karen was on Morgan's... Nicolas and Morgan were curiously on Alison's floor.... but the person that drew the MOST attention was Ava... who was currently in HALEIGH'S PRIVATE OFFICE. Haleigh instantly appeared there... and maintained COMPLETE silence.... even her movement didn't make noise. Ava's face was hidden behind a large computer panel, and she was unaware of Haleigh's presence, as she tried every keyword she could think of.... and eventually guessed the right one. Haleigh grit her teeth... just WHAT did Ava think she was doing?? She had NO right... and Haleigh was ABOUT to say so... but Ava gave the shutdown command. Haleigh folded her arms across her chest as the flat panel retracted into the desk, revealing her presence.

"Some things NEVER change, eh sis? [narrowing her eyes] As I recall... you were quite.... curious... when we were young too."
 
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:: As the flat screen retracted, Ava was startled by Haleigh's presents, but didn't show it. Caught red handed...damn. Standing from the executive style chair, Ava smirked at Haleigh's obvious annoyance with her. ::

"Old habits die hard. But, maybe if you changed your security codes, you wouldn't have this problem."

:: Winking before walking around the desk, Ava ran her hand along the cool metal wall next to her before stopping. Feeling a small deviation in the wall, Ava smiled at Haleigh before applying more pressure at that spot. Simultaneously the walls around the room began to slide and flip open, revealing numerous weapons. ::

"You're very clever; hacking into Cassadine Enterprises' files."

:: Picking up a Glock-17, Ava examined the gun before releasing the clip and letting it fall into her other hand. ::

"I'd attempt to upgrade my security, but you're the best woman to do that. So...that defeats the purpose."

:: Loading the clip back into the gun, Ava placed it back in it's foam imprint. Pressing the same spot in the wall as she did before, the walls began to spin and flip close until the room was as plain as it was a minute earlier. Walking to the front of the desk, Ava rested her butt on the edge. Looking at Haleigh--who looked a hell of a lot better than a few hours earlier--Ava's face became more serious. ::

"How are you feeling?
 
Illustra-106th floor

<< Morgan enjoyed the soothing sound of Tink's purr...and Nicolas' company. the darkness allowed her enough feeling of anonymity that Nicolas' close proximity did not unsettle her at all like before.>>

<< as he lifted her hand and kissed it, then asked if she would like something to eat, Morgan blushed a little...>>

Now Nicolas....

<< she was going to say "you know i'm not a big eater", but then she remembered...more like HEARD her mother's voice in her head.>>

Karen Victoria said:
Oh Morgan, stop being so silly and vain. eating isnt going to make you get fat!
Click to expand...


it's late and i cant really think of food at a time like this...perhaps something light would be allright though.

<< she said softly.>>

<< tinkerbell seemed to perk up and became more intent as she gently batted at Nicolas' hand with her paw, then she raised her paw a bit...seemingly waving it with hesitation as she wanted Nicolas to pay attention. she mewed softly in the midst of her purring.>>

I think Tinkerbell has something she's trying to tell YOU, Nicolas.

<< Morgan was a bit curious herself. Tink didnt go out of her way to interact with most people like this..or to reveal her own special gifts as a familiar. to most, she was just a pretty, if not spoiled siamese cat but Morgan knew that Tinker only would reach out to those who NEEDED to be warned!>>

she has a "special" way of talking to those who need to be ....warned....about something.
 
alison's apartment

Morgan was in the process of refusing, then tacitly accepting his offer of food when he felt Tinkerbell brush her paw against his hand. As the cat WAVED at him urgently, Morgan noted that she had a way or warning people about things. But what really hit Nicolas was that he cold SENSE what the cat was trying to do. Not really hear thoughts, but he had a sense about the cat itself. It was concerned, but about WHAT? He lowered his head so as to get more on Tinkerbell's level, his movement very fluid, almost cat-like.

OK girl, what are you trying to say? I already feel your uneasiness, so tell me...what's wrong and where?
 
unwanted visitors

<<still purring a bit, she mewed as Nicolas moved his head down closer to her level.>>

<< he learns fast. he's smart.

<< she shook her head a bit...almost like she had a little itch in her ear...finally she focused on Nicolas...still purring.>>

<< her blue eyes began to glow and an unusual, but soft sound was heard in the air. Tinkerbell activates her special communication ability as a sparkling blue image bubble shimmers into view up above between Morgan and Nicolas.>>

<< the view was from Tinkerbell's perspective so it they saw things from "looking up"...everything seemed so big and mysterious in the image bubble but soon, Nicolas realized that Tink was showing him a cat's eye view of HIS apartment. first the main hall and living room...then into his master bedroom. it was quite dark, but a cat's vision is better than most.>>

<< soon, the vision moved toward the double doors to the balcony, but there was an odd sound...Nicolas saw a large area of the double doors had been shattered AND...large black crows were now ROOSTING on Sharon Kelly's bust..some were even IN Nicolas' apartment now and still awake...and seemingly agitated. they were laying in wait for someone to enter unknowingly.>>

<< to see CROWS of all things...centered around and perched on Sharon Kelly's image...as well as inside his home? Tink wouldnt have any idea what Nicolas saw in Haleigh's mind at the end of his probe..but THIS would confirm that something terrible was coming..something that he wouldnt WANT to believe.>>

<< tinkerbell could be heard making a low growl of disapproval, and suddenly the view of the sinister crows became blurred as Nicolas saw Tinkerbell slipping under his bed and disappearing in the shadows.>>


<< big mean birds...trouble for mommy and her friends.>>

<< the image bubble fluxuates and fades in a sparkling haze as Tinkerbell slowly blinks her eyes...watching Nicolas. her ears folding back a bit at any sound, no matter how faint.>>
 
alison's apartment

Nicolas eyes WIDENED as the cat opened an interface between them, showing him what had occurred from her point of view. His own mental makeup allowed him to immer4se in it, a option he chose so as to get the most out of the experience. Morgan would notice as Nicolas cocked his head, or moved as a cat might during this interaction. As the scene came to the broken glass and the large crows, Nicolas watched WITH HORROR as they descended upon Sharon Kelly's bust!! The scene abruptly ended as the crows lay in wait for him. He looked at the cat earnestly.

Thank you Tinkerbell. You have been...most valuable.

He rubbed the cats chin and lifted Morgan's hand to kiss it again, before resting his hand on her leg, He HATED to do this, and Morgan would see the grimace of his internal struggle as he realized that she MUST be told about what he saw. All thoughts of romance and of intimacy would unfortunately have to be shelved again, for their enemies would give them no peace. Nicolas sighed heavily as he looked Morgan in the eye.

Morgan, I had hoped that we could have a few moments to ourselves before we would all have to face this, but what Tinkerbell has shown me indicates that it will not wait. Honey, I am so sorry.

Nicolas sets up a scene between them that allows Morgan to witness what happened when he was inside Haleigh's mind from the point he became certain that her problems were external in nature.


As they arrived, he recognized that they were at the part of the mind that controlled her powers, there were ARTIFICIAL INTERFACES to her dream region and her emotive centers. This was the smoking gun he needed. Haleigh was being manipulated form the outside, but how? Where?

The good news was that they had managed to breakthrough some of her more destructive tendencies, and her mind was healing nicely behind him. But this area was decaying as it was being manipulated. He needed to track the source and he knew EXACTLY how.

Leaving Haleigh at the edge of the decay, he stepped forward, repairing what he could and weakening the hold of the connection, but unfortunately he could not determine the damage that would be done by trying to sever it. So he instead waited for an impulse to come and latched on, trying to ascertain its origin.

FOOLISH move. Nicolas was pulled headlong, his mind threatening to be torn by the artificial impulses as they snatched him along to its source. Were it not for his ability to exist out of body (as in astral form), he would already be dead. But he survived in pretty good shape as he saw a fleeting glimpse of a woman, beautiful but angry, so angry, so hatred filled. Her hair flew back as she looked up at him, with the shadows of three men behind, and Nicolas could not believe who he saw. The connection began to draw psychic energy from him and the feedback was excruciating!!!!


Nicolas sat silently as the scene played out. After it was done, he looked at Morgan, waiting for her reaction, fearing what the realization might do???
 
<< Morgan sat up a bit and leaned forward. she too was curious as to what was causing Tink to be so adamant. she KNEW a moment like this with Nicolas was too good to be true. still, they would see this together..and that counted for something.>>

<< Tinkerbell activated her special talent, and began to show them a haunting tour of Nicolas' apartment from her perspective. Nicolas enhanced his experience by mentally interfacing, so that he could TRULY experience from the cat's perspective just what she saw. it was almost cute...as he tilted his head and exhibited other small movements like Tink.>>

<< but that cuteness could not override the REAL problem and that was CROWS...several of them roosting on Sharon Kelly's memorial!!>>

the birds! they've busted into your apartment!

<< but that wasnt all...some of them seemed to be laying in WAIT for Nicolas or ANYONE foolish enough to enter the dwelling unaware! Nicolas disengaged as he thanked Tinkerbell and stroked her under the chin and then looked directly at Morgan. She felt a lump in her throat. something was wrong...she knew it ALL ALONG!! >>

Rampage said:
Morgan, I had hoped that we could have a few moments to ourselves before we would all have to face this, but what Tinkerbell has shown me indicates that it will not wait. Honey, I am so sorry.
Click to expand...



<< Nicolas sets up a scene between them that allows Morgan to witness what happened when he was inside Haleigh's mind from the point he became certain that her problems were external in nature.>>


As they arrived, he recognized that they were at the part of the mind that controlled her powers, there were ARTIFICIAL INTERFACES to her dream region and her emotive centers. This was the smoking gun he needed. Haleigh was being manipulated form the outside, but how? Where?

The good news was that they had managed to breakthrough some of her more destructive tendencies, and her mind was healing nicely behind him. But this area was decaying as it was being manipulated. He needed to track the source and he knew EXACTLY how.

Leaving Haleigh at the edge of the decay, he stepped forward, repairing what he could and weakening the hold of the connection, but unfortunately he could not determine the damage that would be done by trying to sever it. So he instead waited for an impulse to come and latched on, trying to ascertain its origin.

FOOLISH move. Nicolas was pulled headlong, his mind threatening to be torn by the artificial impulses as they snatched him along to its source. Were it not for his ability to exist out of body (as in astral form), he would already be dead. But he survived in pretty good shape as he saw a fleeting glimpse of a woman, beautiful but angry, so angry, so hatred filled. Her hair flew back as she looked up at him, with the shadows of three men behind, and Nicolas could not believe who he saw. The connection began to draw psychic energy from him and the feedback was excruciating!!!!

<< the whole scene was truly intriguing. Morgan was not a psychic and though there were spells that allowed her access to the astral plane, she never really dealt much in this realm. her own psi screen providing her complete protection against psychic contact and attacks...but even though this was a "play back", Morgan herself flinched as the image of a blonde, beautifull but PSYCHOTIC ANGRY looking woman appeared at the tail end of the connection between Haleigh's mind and whatever the external souce was. >>

GODDESS!!

<< Morgan gasped as that woman's SILVER EYES and flowing blonde hair stuck out in Morgan's mind's eye.>>

the crows....sharon's memorial....that woman...

<< she looked at Nicolas...>>

oh no....no!! its IMPOSSIBLE!! that CAN'T BE HER!

<< she became more unsettled as she sat more upright!>>


what does this MEAN Nicolas!? What was THAT in Haleigh's mind??

<< she almost wanted to believe she could figuratively sitck her head in the sand and that what she knew to be true would go away....but she needed Nicolas to confirm what she was beginning to fear. she might not have it all figured out...maybe she was overreacting?>>

Aphrodite...she SAID that someone I....WE cared about would come back for us....to HAUNT US and EXACT REVENGE!!

is THIS what she was talking about!?


<< Morgan covered her face...>>

NO!! who could be DOING THIS!! it has to be a TRICK! they're using Haleigh to get to us...and they're not only hurting HER..but their making us all CRAZY!! We can't tell Haleigh about this...and we CERTAINLY cant let Alycia find out......but how can i tell the others if I can't even GRASP what i just saw!
 
As he saw the reaction of Morgan, he knew that this was very damaging for her, and it hurt him to watch her go through it. But she needed to see this if his hunch was correct, and as Morgan begged him for answers, he began to speak to her, holding her face with his hand, then STOPPED. Why hadn't his ALARMS gone off when the glass was broken? he looked at the sorceress, then spoke quickly in a hushed tone.

Morgan...trust me.


Nicolas erected a wall around them on all sides made of the solid marble in the floor and reinforced it. As he did so he sat back, teleporting some oil from one of his antique lamps in his study into a levitating mental bubble and lighting it by turning his other hands fingertips into flint, snapping them. He teleported paper into Morgan's lap. Instead of writing, he pulled the ink from the pen and allowed what he wished to say to be imprinted on the paper, like a telekinetic printing press. He wished her to read by his improvised candlelight as he made his suspicions known.

I am sorry Morgan. That scene is all too real. I felt the mind there, and there is someone present, that is no illusion. This information combined with what we have already seen: the demons that attacked Karen, the manipulation of Haleigh, the strange bird behavior in the city. I have only one explanation: Mystech is not as dead as we would like to believe. I believe that this group is trying to take control of Haleigh by destroying her human side in insanity so they can puppet the mechanical portion. I believe that they attacked your mother as someone who would be able to thwart their plans, to scare her off. I may also be targeted for my role in calming her human side. I believe that if they can get to Haleigh, that no mechanical thing in this office is safe. All that we do and say is most likely being monitored even now. That is why I am doing all of this. I know you are wary of it, but I must suggest that you consider allowing me a connective mental rapport with you. You can sever it at any time due to your protections, but right now I do not trust uttering another word in this place. Lastly...I believe that they have found a way to clone or reanimate Sharon Kelly and are planning to use her against us.

Nicolas sat silently, hoping that she would be able to believe what he said.
 
a bad night

<< as Morgan looked at Nicolas with disbelief and shock, suddenly, the darkness of Alison's apartment didnt seem so safe...NOTHING in Illustra was safe anymore...for as Haleigh grappled with growing glitches and issues...the very core of Illustra's security (on the technological side) was also in jeopardy, not to mention Clandestine Inc.>>

<< Many wounds were exposed, many questions answered and new ones raised...and ALL of them revolved around the growing problem that Haleigh was having. Alycia, the flashbacks, the birds...all of these signs pointed to one thing...that Aphrodite was RIGHT. Someone WAS coming back to haunt the Six... ESPECIALLY Haleigh...and while Morgan may have been plagued with guilt over Sharon's death...the person who probably should have been MORE affected by it was Haleigh. Sharon's blood was on HER family's hands and not only was Ava Cassadine now apart of the six through the mysterious workings of the Seige Perilous, but Haleigh had NEVER really addressed her feelings...NEVER really answered Alycia's hurtfull charges against her when her "Family secret" was revealed. Indeed, haleigh RARELY addressed ANY personal issues to anyone..including HERSELF but as she was now beginning to see...THAT wasnt going to work for very long anymore.>>

<< From the six and their allies in Illustra to their most recently returned comrade at the Parthenon.... The spectre and shadow of Mystech was rearing its head again...even as NYC slept...and as Spellbinder struggled and Rampage attempted to comfort her and provide clarity to the situation...there was something they ALL needed to remember....>>

<< EVIL never dies and sometimes...when a person comes back from the dead...it isnt always a good thing. >>

<< and so we watch.>>
 
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